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You Had to Be There

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Montage of interviews and archival imagery from You Had to Be There

Music + Film

You Had to Be There:
How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (In a Canadian Kind of Way)

Directed by Nick Davis

Wednesday, October 21, 7 pm CINEMA + | BUY TICKETS

$12 | $8 Speed and LPM members | Free for students with valid I.D.

“Exuberant and essential.”—Variety

This movie is a blast, telling the story of how a cast of unknown comedians in 1972 Toronto, including Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Victor Garber, put on a production of Godspell that laid the groundwork for modern comedy. Paul Shaffer was even the musical director of the production.

All surviving cast members of the 1972 show appear in the film, which is a delightful time at the movies chronicling the birth of the next generation of comic superstars. The film recounts a pivotal moment in comedy history in hilarious, moving, and inspiring detail. Executive produced by Judd Apatow. A selection of the Toronto International Film Festival. 2025, Canada/U.S., DCP, 98 minutes. Recommended for 15+.

CINEMA + with a post-screening discussion by the film’s editor Doug Abel who is from Louisville.

Co-presented with WFPK

WFPK Louisville Public Media

The Toronto Godspell cast in colorful costumes on stage

Montage of interviews and archival imagery from You Had to Be There

Music + Film

You Had to Be There:
How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (In a Canadian Kind of Way)

Directed by Nick Davis

Wednesday, October 21, 7 pm CINEMA + | BUY TICKETS

$12 | $8 Speed and LPM members | Free for students with valid I.D.

“Exuberant and essential.”—Variety

This movie is a blast, telling the story of how a cast of unknown comedians in 1972 Toronto, including Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Victor Garber, put on a production of Godspell that laid the groundwork for modern comedy. Paul Shaffer was even the musical director of the production.

All surviving cast members of the 1972 show appear in the film, which is a delightful time at the movies chronicling the birth of the next generation of comic superstars. The film recounts a pivotal moment in comedy history in hilarious, moving, and inspiring detail. Executive produced by Judd Apatow. A selection of the Toronto International Film Festival. 2025, Canada/U.S., DCP, 98 minutes. Recommended for 15+.

CINEMA + with a post-screening discussion by the film’s editor Doug Abel who is from Louisville.

Co-presented with WFPK

WFPK Louisville Public Media

The Toronto Godspell cast in colorful costumes on stage